Antelope Canyons is the most-visited and most-photographed slot canyon in the American Southwest. It is located on Navajo land near Page, Arizona. Antelope Canyon includes two separate, photogenic slot canyon sections, referred to individually as Upper Antelope Canyon or The Crack; and Lower Antelope Canyon or The Corkscrew.
Both offer “photo tours” for extra money and both require a Navajo guide but the operation, canyons and accessibility are quite different.
The Upper Antelope Canyon requires you to book ahead and take a shake and bake 4X4 to get to the entrance of the canyon. Both canyons are a short drive from Page but the Upper Canyon requires a 1/2 mille drive up a dry river bed. Taking the “Photo Tour” is not only worth it but a necessity. You do not even need a camera to take the photo tour but if you do have one the guide will help pose shots, give camera settings guidance and be very helpful You will also be in a smaller group with double the time (2 hours) in the canyon. If you get take the regular tour expect to be shoveled along in a big group. You will fight for a clear shot which will be virtually impossible. Most of the people I saw in these groups spoke little English or chose to ignore instruction hence the Navajo guides were quite humorous in getting the groups moving to the end of the canyon within 45 minutes and then a further 15 minutes to get them back out the way they came in. The canyon is an inverted ”V” so walking through is quite easy compared to the Lower canyon.
